Apparatus for treating ferruginous ore for the manufacture of iron and steel therefrom.



No. 792,440. PATENTED JUNE 13, 1905. M. MOORE & T. J. HESKBTT. APPARATUSFOR TREATING PERRUGINOUS ORE FOR THE MANUFACTURE OF IRON AND STEELTHEREPROM.

APPLICATION FILED JAN. 25, 1904.

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M. MOORE & T. J. HESKETT. v APPARATUS FOR TREATING FERRUGINOUS ORE FORTHE MANUFACTURE OF IRON AND STEEL THEREFROM.

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No. 792,440. PATENTED JUNE 13, 1905. M. MOORE & T. J. HESKETT. APPARATUSFOR TREATING PERRUGINOUS ORE FOR THE MANUFACTURE OF IRON AND STEELTHEREPROM.

APPLICATION FILED JAN. 25, 1904.

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a M m w A .1 i. Ma 29 m f 1 l a Dd PATENTED JUNE 13, 1905. M. MOORE & T.J. HESKETT. APPARATUS FOR TREATING FERRUGINOUS ORE FOR THE MANUFACTUREAPPLICATION FILED JAN. 26, 1904.

OF IRON AND STEEL THEREFROM.

ZVC a: (faded UNTTED STATES Patented June 13, 1905.

PATENT OFFICE.

MONTAGUE MOORE, OF MELBOURNE, AND THOMAS JAMES HESKETT, OF BRUNSWICK,VICTORIA, AUSTRALIA.

APPARATUS FOR TREATING FERRUGINOUS ORE FOR THE MANUFACTURE OF IRON ANDSTEEL THEREFROM.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 792,440, dated June 13,1905.

Application filed January 25, 1904- Serial NO- 190,587.

To all 1071,0727 2115 nm/y concern:

Be it known that we, Mon-menu MooRn, a resident of No. 408 Collinsstreet, Melbourne, and THOMAS JAMES HESKETT, a resident of No. 86 Donaldstreet, Brunswick, in the State of Victoria and Commonwealth ofAustralia, subjects of the King of Great Britain, have invented a newand useful Improved Apparatus for Treating Ferruginous Ore for theManufactu re of Iron and Steel Therefrom, of which the following is aspecification.

Our improved apparatus has been devised for the purpose of carrying outa process for treating ferruginous ore for the purpose of manufacturingiron and steel from what are known as magnetic iron sands, such as thosefound in New Zealand and elsewhere; but it is equally applicable fortreating any ferruginous ore which has been crushed or ground to a stateof comminution.

The process in question forms the subject of an application for LettersPatentfiled by us contemporaneously herewith; and it consists in firstconcentrating and separating from such ferruginous ore any silica,earthy, or other deleterious matter contained therein. The ore is thensubjected wh ile passing through a chamber to the action of heat,preferably produced by the admixture of air with waste carbonic-oxid orhydrocarbon gas issuingfrom another chamber, and subsequently to theprogressive reducing action of such gas or gases alone while passingthrough said latter chamber, the result being that all the oxygen isremoved from the ore, which is thereby converted into the metallicstate, but being still in a finely-divided condition. It is then allowedto pass without coming into contact with an oxidizing atmosphere into aSiemens or other gas-furnace, where it is fused and balled up aswrought-iron or converted into molten steel. The keeping of the heatedreduced ore from contact with an oxidizing atmosphere during theoperation of delivering it from the deoXidizer to the gas-furnace is anessential feature of our process.

Our improved apparatus for carrying out the process above describedconsists of a vertical brick tower containing a number of shelvesarranged in series one above the other 5 and approximately at an angleof forty-five degrees below the horizontal. At or abouta point midwaybetween the bottom and top of the tower we provide inlets for air, thesupply of which can be regulated as desired. At the base of the tower wealso provide an inlet for reducinggas, such as carbonic-oxid orhydrocarbon gases, the supply of which can also be regulated at will.The tower is supported on piers, and at the side of and below thebase-line of the tower is a Siemens or other gas-furnace andgas-producers from which the supply of gas for the tower is obtained.The top of the gas-furnace is connected to the base of the tower bymeans of 5 an inclined passage, and in the latter is a valve to regulatethe supply of reduced ore from the tower to the gas-furnace. Theentrance to the said gas-furnace is closed by. means of a fire-brickvalve. The gas for the 7 Siemens furnace is supplied from the producersbefore referred to. At the side of the tower is an elevator for raisingand delivering to the top thereof the ore to be treated.

Instead of the shelves in the tower we may use a shaking-sieve orriddle, in which case the top of the tower is closed by an iron platefrom which the riddle is suspended, motion being conveyed to it in anyapproved way from the elevator-shaft. A hole is provided in the plate inorder to permit of the elevator delivering the ore to the tower. Toprovide for the escape of the products of combustion, a port is providedin the upper part of the tower below the riddle leading to a chimney 5at the side.

A modification of our apparatus consists in eonsiderabl y reducing theheight of the tower by dispensing with that portion which constitutesthe heating-chamber and substituting therefor a revolving cylindricalchamber in which the heating of the ore is effected. This chamber isarranged at an angle of about ten degrees with the horizontal and isarranged at a point just above the air-inlets. In this modification theelevator delivers the ore into the upper end of the revolving chamber.

In lieu of using either a tower or the modification last described foreffecting the heating and subsequent deoxidation of the ore we may, iffound desirable, use what is known as a Bruckner two-cylinder roaster.We, however, dispense with the furnace for heating it and provide meansfor supplying air to the passage between the two cylinders. e preferalso that the cylinders instead of being horizontal should be setslightly at an angle. The lowermost cylinder is arranged so that itscontents can be delivered into the Siemens or other gas-furnace. The gasis delivered into the latter cylinder, which constitutes thedeoxidizing-chamber, and combustion takes place when it meets the airentering the passage above referred to. The heat then passes up into theupper chamber, in which the heating of the ore takes place.

We are aware that attempts have been made to manufacture iron fromferruginous ore in afine state of division by subjecting it to thedeoxidizing action of carbonic-oxid or other gases and subsequentlybringing it to a state of fusion in a Siemens or other gas-furnace; butso far as we know such ore has not previously been subjected to apreliminary heating and certainly not to a preliminary heating by thecomplete combustion of waste gases from the reducing or deoxidizingchamber with air before being deoxidized by such gases, nor has it beenkept from contact with an oxidizing atmosphere during the delivery ofthe reduced ore from the deoxidizer and its subsequent treatment in thefurnace.

In cases where hydrocarbon gases are used as the deoxidizing agent moreheat would be generated when such gas is mixed with air than would berequired, and for the sake of economy we provide means by which aportion of this surplus gas can be taken after it passes through thedeoxidizing-chamber and fed to the Siemens or other gas-furnace forheating it.

Referring to the drawings hereto annexed, in which similar letters referto similar parts throughout the several views, Figure 1 is a sectionalelevation of an apparatus for carrying out our process in which theheating and subsequent deoxidation of the ore is effected in a verticaltower. Fig. 2 is a sectional elevation of certain modifications in theconstruction of the tower. Fig. 3 is a plan of Fig. 1. Fig. 4; is asectional elevation of a modified form of apparatus in which thatportion of the tower which in Fig. 1 constitutes the heatingchamber isdispensed with and a revolving cylindrical chamber is substitutedtherefor. Fig. 5 is a cross-section of said revolving chamber. Fig. 6 isa plan of Fig. 4:. Fig. 7 is a sectional elevation of another modifiedform of apparatus. Fig. 8 is a cross-section Fig. 9

of the cylinders illustrated in Fig. 7. is a plan of Fig. 7.

Referring now to Fig. l of the drawings, A is a vertical square bricktower incased with iron and supported on four piers B, said towercontaining a number of shelves C on either side thereof and arranged inseries one above the other and approximately at an angle of forty-fivedegrees below the horizontal, those on one side alternating with thoseon the other. D is a hollow casing around the tower A at about a pointmidway of its height. D is a slot in one side of said hollow casing, andD is a sliding door to regulate the supply of air passing through saidslot to the casing, if and when required. D represents inlets in thetower A to permit of the air passing from the casing D to the interiorof the upper portion A (hereinafter called the heating-chamber) of thetower A. E is a pipe for the purpose of withdrawing from the top of thelower portion A (hereinafter called the deoxidizing-chamber of the towersurplus gas when hydrocarbon gas is used as the deoxidizing agent andconducting-it to the gasfurnace H. E is a cock in said pipe E. F is avalve, and F is a wheel by which said valve can be operated to regulatethe passage of gas from and ore through the lower or deoxidizing chamberA G is an inclined passage from the base of the tower A to the top of aSiemens or other gas-furnace H. I is a valve for the purpose of stoppingthe flow of reduced ore through the passage Gr until a suflieientquantity has collected to form a charge. I is a wheel to operate saidvalve 1. J is a pipe for supplying gas from the producers. (Not shown.)K is a fire-brick valve for closing the opening to the gas-furnace H. Kis a handle for operating said valve K. L is an elevator which deliversthe ore to be treated into a chute L at the top of the tower. M is asliding door at the top of the tower to regulate the draft and toprevent ingress of air in any large quantity to the tower. This door canbe operated in any approved way.

In lieu of using a tower constructed as described and as illustrated inFig. 1 we may dispense with the internal shelves and substitutetherefor, as shown in Fig. 2, a sieve or riddle N, suspended in theupper portion of the tower. Motion is supplied to said sieve N by meansof belt N from the elevator-shaft. O is a port to permit of the productsof combustion passing from the upper portion A of the towerA to achimney O at the side of the tower. O is a valve to regulate the draftin the chimney O, and O is a lever to open or close said valve by meansof rope O.-

lVhen the apparatus illustrated in Fig. 1 is used, the mode of operationis as follows: The Siemens gas-furnace is first heated in the ordinaryway,the fire-brick valve K being closed, and at the same time areducing-gas, such as carbonic-oxid or hydrocarbon gas, is admittedthrough pipe J to the passage G, leading to the base of the tower A. Thegas passes up the tower, and when it comes in contact with the air whichenters through slot D and holes D" combustion ensues and the upperportion A of the tower becomes a heating-chamber. The concentrated andseparated ore is fed to the top of the tower A by the elevator L andfalls upon the topmost shelf C, and so on from shelf to shelf, everyparticle being thereby exposed to the heat. By the time the ore reachesthe air-inlets D it has become red-hot. In its further passage down thetower the ore passes through the body of gas in the deoxidizingchamberA, and by the time it reaches the passage G it is completely deoxidizedand reduced to fine particles of metallic iron. As soon as a charge hascollected in the passage G valves I and K are opened and the reduced orepasses into the gas-furnace H, where it is fused and balled up aswrought-iron or converted into steel in the usual manner.

hen the modification of the apparatus illustrated in Fig. 2 is used,motion is imparted to the sieve or riddle N and the ore which passesthrough it falls down the tower in the form of a shower. In otherrespects the operation is the same as already described in connectionwith the apparatus illustrated in Fig. 1 of the drawings, save andexcept that the products of combustion pass away by means of the chimney0' instead of through the tower A.

In Fig. at of the annexed drawings theheiglit of the tower is preferablyreduced by about one-half that is, by dispensing with that portion whichin Fig. 1 constitutes the heating-chamber. In lieu thereof we use as theheating-chamber a revolving cylindrical chamher A. This heating-chamberis placed at an angle of about ten degrees with the horizontal and isarranged to it at a point just above the air-inlets D". P representsrollers upon which the heating-chamber revolves. P represents angle-ironhoops or hands to keep the heating-chamber A in its proper position andprevent it pressing too much against the tower. Q, representsprojections running longitudinally the whole length of the interior ofthe heating-chamber A. These projections are for the purpose of keepingthe ore well stirred, so that every particle thereof may besubjected tothe heatin thechamber. The mode of operation when this modification isused is identically the same as described in connection with theapparatus illustrated in Fig. 1, with the exception that the ore insteadof being delivered by the elevator to and heated in the upper portion Aof the tower A is delivered to the upper end of and heated in therevolving cylindrical chamber A and enters the tower A at a point justabove the air-inlets D".

\Ve will now refer to Figs. 7, 8, and 9, where another modified form ofapparatus is illustrated. In this arrangement instead of, as previouslyexplained, using a vertical tower or a revolving cylindrical chamber anda vertical tower for heating and deoxidizing the ore we usetwo revolvingcylindrical chambers each set approximately at an angle of about tendegrees, the heating-chamber being at a higher elevation than thedeoxidizingchamber. The lower end of the former is connected to theupper end of the latter by means of a vertical passage. The lattercylinder is connected at its lower end with the Siemens or other gasfurnace. A is the heatingchamber, and A the deoxidizingchamber. Prepresents rollers upon which the chambers revolve. P representsangle-iron hoops which run on the rollers P and prevent the chambersfrom moving downwardly. R is the vertical passage connecting the twochambers A and A The inlets for air are situated about midway of theheight of said vertical passage R and are constructed in the same way asdescribed and illustrated in Fig. 1. J is the pipe for supplying gas tothe deoxidizing-chamber, and E is the pipe through which any surplus gasis conveyed from the deoxidizing-chamber to the gas-furnace. E (see Fig.9) is a cock for controlling the flow of gas through such pi peE. S is arod, and S is a plate at one end thereof for'the purpose of closing moreor less the entrance to the deoxidizingchamber A when desired, so as tocontrol the supply of gas to chamber'A and the supply of heated ore tochamber A S is an opening in said plate by means of which ore can passfrom the vertical passage R to the deoxidizing-chamber A S is a wheelfor operating said plate S. In the center of the plate S,-opposite tothe mouth of the pipe E, are a number of holes (not shown) to allow thegas to pass into said pipe E when the plate S is closed tightly againstthe entrance to the vertical chamber R. G is a pipe formed integral withand leading from the lowermost end of the deoxidizing-chamber A withwhich it is free to revolve. Gr is another pipe leading upward from thetop of the Siemens or other gas-furnace. These two pipes are in avertical line when it is required to pass the accumulated reduced orefrom chamber A into the Siemens or other gas-furnace H. I is the valvewhich when open allows the reduced ore to pass to the gas-furnace, and Kis the fire-brick valve in the top of the gasfurnace. Q, representsprojections in the interior of both the heating and deoxidizing chamberssimilar to those described in connection with Figs. I and 5 of thedrawings. L is the elevator, and L the chute through which the ore to betreated passes to the upper end of the heating-chamber. To prevent airfrom entering this chamber A and to regulate the draft therefrom, acircular plate T, carried on the end of a rod T, is so placed that byturning a wheel T on the other end of the rod the opening T to thecliimney T is opened or closed, as desired.

The mode of operation is as follows: The gas-furnace is first heated andgas is then admitted to the deoxidizing-chamber A through IIO the pipe Jand at the same time air is admitted to the vertical chamber R.Combustion takes place in this chamber R, and the resulting heat passesinto the heating-chamber A. Motion is then given to both the revolvingchambers A and A and the ore to be treated is supplied to the upper endof the former, and in its passage therethrough it becomes heated and isdelivered to the top of the vertical chamber R, from whence it passes tothe dcoxidizing-chamber A and on the revolution of the chambers beingstopped and valves 1 and K being opened, pipes Ur and G being then inline, it falls into the gas-furnace H, where it is fused and balled upas wroughtiron or converted into steel.

Although we have described the chamber A as being heated by theadmixture of air with waste carbonic-oxid or hydrocarbon gas fromchamber A it is obvious that it may be heated by other means; but thiswould be much more expensive.

hat we claim as our invention, and desire to secure by Letters Patent,is

l. The combination of a gas-furnace H, an inclined revolving cylindricalheating-chamber A, an inclined revolving cylindrical deoXidizing-chamberA and a vertical chamber R connecting the lower end of the formerchamber with the upper end of the latter chamber, said vertical chamber1% being provided with air-inlets D and said chamber A with means suchas J for supplying gas thereto, substantially as herein described;

2. An apparatus for treating ferruginous ore for the manufacture of ironand steel therefrom, involving a heating chamber adapted to receive thematerial in a continuous stream, a deoxidizing-chamber isolated fromsaid heating-chamber, adapted to communicate therewith and receive thematerial therefrom, in a heated condition, means for supplying adeoxidizing gas to said deoxidizing-chamber to convert the heatedmaterial into metallic particles, means for supplying air solely to theheating-chamber to support combustion, and a gas-furnace isolated fromsaid. deoxidiZing-chamber, adapted to communicate therewith and receivethe material therefrom.

3. An apparatus for treating ferruginous ore for the manufacture ofsteel and iron therefrom involving a revolving heatingchamber adapted toreceive the material in a continuous stream, a deoxidizing-chambercommunicating with said heating-chamber and adapted to receive thematerial therefrom in a heated condition, means for supplying adeoxidizing gas to said deoxidiZing-chamber to convert the heatedmaterial into metallic particlesfmeans for supplying air to theheating-chamber to support combustion, and a gasfurnace communicatingwith said deoxidizingchamber and adapted to receive the materialtherefrom.

a. An apparatus for treating ferruginous ore for the manufacture of ironand steel therefrom involving a revolving heatingchamber adapted toreceive the material in a continuous stream, a revolvingdeoxidizingchamber communicating with the heatingchamber and adapted toreceive the material therefrom in a heated condition, means forsupplying deoxidizing gas to said deoxidizingchamber to convert thematerial into metallic particles, a regulatable air supply means adaptedto supply air to the heating-chamber to support combustion, and agas-furnace communicating with said deoxidiZing-chamber.

5. An apparatus for treating ferruginous ore for the manufacture of ironand. steel therefrom, involving a heating chamber adapted to receive thematerial in a continuous stream, a deoxidizing-chamber isolated fromsaid heating-chamber, adapted to communicate therewith and receive thematerial therefrom in a heated condition, means for supplying adeoxidizing gas to said deoxidizing-ehamber to convert the heatedmaterial into metallic particles, a regulatable air-supply means forsupplying air solely to the heating-chamber to support combustion, and agas-furnace isolated from said deoxidizingchamber, adapted tocommunicate therewith and receive the material therefrom.

6. An apparatus for treating ferruginous ores involving a revolvingheating-chamber, a revolving deoXidizing-chamber, a conduit forestablishingcommunication between the lower end of said heating-chamberand the upper end of said deoxidizing-chamber, a regulatable air-supplymeans carried by said conduit and adapted to supply air to said heatingchamber to support combustion, means communicating with one end of thedeoxidizing-chamber for supplying a deoxidizing medium thereto, and agas-furnace communicating with the lower end of saiddeoxidizing-chamber.

7. An apparatus for treating ferruginous ore involving a revolubleheating-chainber, a closable-inlet supply means for one end of saidheating-chamber,a revolu ble deoxidizingchamber, a conduit opening atone end into the lower end of said heating-chamber and at its other endopening into the upper end of said deoxidizing-chambcr, a regulatableairinlet supply carried by said conduit adapted to causea supply of airto said heating-cham ber to support combustion, adjustable means forclosing the upper end of said deoxidizingchamber, means communicatingwith the lower end of said deoxidizing-chamber for supply ing adeoxidizing medium thereto, and a gasfurnacc adapted to communicate withsaid deoxidizing-chamber.

8. An apparatus for treating ferruginous ore involving a rcvolubleheating-chamber, a closable-inlet supply means for one end of saidlmating-chamber, a revoluble deoxidizingchamber, a conduit opening atone end into the lower end of said heating-chamber and at its other endopening into the upper end of said deoxidizing-chamber, a regulatableairinlet supply carried by said conduit adapted to cause a supply of airto said heating-chamber to support combustion, adjustable means forclosing the upper end of said deoxidizingchambenmeans communicating withthe lower end of said deoXidiZing-chamber for supplying a deoxidizingmedium thereto, an outletvalve for said deoxidizing-chamber, agasfurnace provided with an inlet, said inlet adapted to communicatewith said deoxidizing-chamber, and a valve for closing said inlet.

In testimony whereof we have hereunto set our hands in presence of twosubscribing witnesses.

MONTAGUE MooRE. THOMAS JAMES HESKETT.

Witnesses:

WALTER S. BAYsToN, FRANK BAYSTON.

